Sunbound

Can anyone recommend (or not !) St Pauls School near Strathpine?
Its one we have short listed and was wondering if anyone could tell me what its like first hand?
Also what the local state schools are like nearby? My little one will be starting in prep.
Thanks

232Bar

Our son (in year 8 now) goes to St Pauls. We found it to be good in terms of the support and guidance they gave for someone new to the school. Also, as he's a touch dyslexic and dyspraxic, they have a good support program as well. His writing has improved a lot since he started there (Easter 2006). Althought it's an Anglican school, it is not overtly religious nor does it go overboard with political correcness - they are simply taught (expected) to respect each other and do the right thing. There a a mulititude of extra-curricualr activities, drama, music, sports etc and they have a golf acadamy on site if that's of interest to you later. If you're a working parent, they also have a good after school program where the kids can go until you can pick them up - I think that runs until about 6pm. Ours never used that - he prefered to go to the library and do his homework while he was waiting and realistically, it is for the younger kids anyway.

Overall, I'd recommend it but others may have differing views.

Daka

Hi
Our kids have been at St Pauls for nearly a year and we are pleased with the results so far both socially and academically. The kids are happy too!

Ours are in year 3 and 2 and certainly benefit from the specialist teachers in PE, music, art and Japanese. We have also had a good experience with learning support. Our son jumped from reception in the UK to yr 1 here, as he is a September birthday. The support provided through school enabled him to catch up with his peers and is now not needed.

Lots of clubs and activities, also social get togethers for parents. It is where we had made most of our friends!

I looked at 2 state schools in Bracken Ridge nearby and wasn't over impressed. Bald Hills state school and Eaton Hill state have good reputations, but I've not visited. Another option is to go for state school for primary and private from year 7, but you need to put your name down asap. I'm not sure if there are spaces in prep at present.

Hope that helps. PM me if you have any questions.

Sunbound

Thanks both of you for your very helpful answers.
Were not quite sure yet where we will settle due to business restrictions but we prefer the northern suburbs/sunshine coast to below Brisbane. So i've had to look at options above and below just incase!
We will be heading out Sept this year and my son wont be entering prep till 2011 (hes 3 in Oct 2008), i think thats right!!! So i'm hoping he will still get a place for then if i do my school visits just after we arrive?
I've received brochures from St Pauls, Sheldon and Ormiston and was going to send off for Mueller College in Redcliffe also.My preference so far is St Pauls as its well situated for where we'd prefer to settle and it seems to have what were looking for,but i'm not one of these people that think private is always best, and without an "ofstead" type body to help me choose its a little difficult !!!
Thanks again !!
P.s standby for more questions when we arrive !!!!!

Demented Ferret

Hi Subound, our son Luke is also in Year 8 and loves it, he went to North lakes state college and came home telling us he was bored and not learning much (admirable for an 11 year old), no extra work or progression of classes were offered when approached. Since moving he's much happier, grades are great, he also learns guitar and is in 2 school bands. A world of opportunities is the moto and although struggling to afford we work hard to give him the best.
Good luck with you choice, you maybe facing a waiting list so enquire well in advance.

Dale

annqldau

This site has all the main private schools around Pine Rivers... http://www.prccc.com.au/privateschools.htm

I'm happy enough with St. Pauls it has plenty of opportunities on offer inc. last year being the only school linked to the PGA Golf in Australia although unfortunately after trying golf my son didn't see him self as a future Tiger Woods in colour or performance.

There is also Genesis College just near to Petrie/Joyner http://www.genesis.qld.edu.au/Public/default.asp it topped the OP scores but it's a bit heavier on the religion side, apparently kids go 3 x per day to church of some sort.

All schools round here have reasonable scores inc. the state schools.

Sunbound

Thanks Dale and Annqldau for your replies too.
I'm so glad your experiences seem to be positive so far.
What are the OP scores and how do you find how each school performs? I can see i'm going to miss "Ofstead" !!!
I do think going to church 3x a day is excessive though, thats not for us i think.
Are there any other schools in the area that you would recommend also ?
Thanks

annqldau

OP scores are...
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=169401

The scores were published in courier mail but can't find them now.

themerlin

http://media01.couriermail.com.au/mu...7/04/op/op.htm

Genesis Christian College Bray Park seemed to do well.

Sunbound

oooh thanks guys thats just the sort of thing i was after.
The OP scores ,is that what students do each year on top of their regular exams ( eg gcse's ) in order to see how they are doing? Are the 2007 results out yet?
Excuse all the questions, am hoping to get a grasp on it before we arrive !!!
Thanks

Amandabee

Hey an OP score is the overall position of the student in comparison to their peers (state wide) in their overall achievement as they leave year 12. It is calculated by the craziest calculations known to man. I was a head of department in Oz and went to numerous meetings about how its calculated and still get confused!

But basically it is the score of the students in the QCS (which is the queensland core skills .. reading, writing and maths tests) and how well they did in each of their subjects. Against how they performed within the cohort for both each subject and the QCS.

It can be a good tool to use to see how well a school performs, but rather than OFSTED it should be taken with a pinch of salt as there are many ways a school can improve their results at the detriment of students. A good question to ask is how many students take the QCS... if its ALL students (no matter what) then its a true result.

Hope this helps

Amanda

annqldau

All depends how far you want to push the Christian boat out but it would be ideal for your kids as they do have sheep in the grounds so would go with your Avatar.

themerlin

We know a few people who reckon there not that bad, maybe they have been brainwashed by the Leader!

annqldau

They may not be as our son doesn't go there so we don't know the full score but it def has a reputation for pushing the religious side.

tillysmum

Our daughter started at Genesis in January of this year (year 10) We looked at st pauls and we thought it was ok but daughter decided after coming from a big senior school in uk that she quite fancied a smaller one. We showed her Genesis on internet and the prospectus and was adamant that she was not going to her words 'a god squad' school. However, she agreed to go and look at it along with albany creek and bray park (state schools) oh also looked at the steiner school in samford. And to our amazement she chose Genesis!!!!!!
After a bit of a rocky first week she has settled in and now really likes it and has made some nice friends. Ask her would she like to back to her old one (good school in uk in nice area) no chance.
As for going to church can only speak of senior school and its once a week wed pm and bible studies once a week. But the vicar is really cool apparently and the kids really like him (scottish descent).
Cant emphasise enough about going to have a look and get a feel for a place different people like diff stuff a friend of mine son goes to albany creek and loves it our daughter didnt like it at all.
Good luck